Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru dies at 57 after a brief illness, his family has announced.
The family confirmed his death in a statement published on the actor’s official Instagram page in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026. They also thanked fans and well-wishers for their prayers, love and support.
The statement read, “We, the family of Francis Duru, regret to announce his passing following a brief illness.”
The family added, “We appreciate your prayers, love, and understanding. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”
His death has brought renewed attention to the career of one of Nollywood’s familiar faces, whose work spanned several decades.
Francis Duru’s Career and Rise to Fame
Born on July 27, 1969, in Cameroon to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Duru completed his early education there before moving to Nigeria for university.
He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
Duru began his acting career in 1989 with Missing Mark, a film directed by the late Ndubuisi Oko.
However, he gained wider recognition in 1995 after starring as Ahanna in Rattlesnake, the action-comedy produced by the late filmmaker Amaka Igwe.
Over the years, he earned several awards and honours for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry. He also received recognition as a United Nations ambassador of peace for his influence on young people.
In 2020, Duru won the Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo) award at the Best of Nollywood Awards for his performance in Mboputa.
Actor Previously Denied Reports of Serious Illness
The news of Duru’s death comes months after he dismissed reports that he was battling a life-threatening illness.
In June, a video showing the actor looking frail circulated on social media, prompting concern among fans and colleagues.
Duru later responded in a video posted on Instagram, describing the footage as “fabricated and malicious”.
His family has now confirmed that he died following a brief illness, although the statement did not disclose further details.
Francis Duru’s Family Life
Duru married his wife, Adokiye, in 2003, and they had four children together.
The family suffered a painful loss in August 2024 when one of their children, Ifeanyi, died.
The actor’s death marks the loss of a performer whose career began in the late 1980s and whose role in Rattlesnake helped establish his place in Nigerian cinema.
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